“If you ask Lachlan, he’d say tomorrow, but we really don’t have a plan. I’d like to have a small wedding, on the beach, with just our families there. However, his daughter, Rose, wants a huge wedding where she can be the flower girl who wears a tiara. She also demands I have a very big dress.”
“That is something to consider,” Penny says. “I mean, she’s a princess.”
Ainsley turns to me. “She really is. She’s so adorable and I love her so much. Most likely, we’ll find a compromise.” Then she looks at Penny. “And what about you guys?”
“Oh, we’ll have a bigger wedding. According to Miles, I’ve spent way too many years hiding away, and I’m going to have a day where I’m the center of attention. Even though we all know I’m not all that excited about it.”
Hazel sighs dramatically. “Oh, the horrors you both face.”
“I had a big wedding and an even bigger marriage implosion,” I say absently.
My wedding was truly one for the books. My parents, being as conventional as they were, had a lot of things they felt were necessary for their only—virginal—daughter. Yeah, that conversation was hilarious to sit and listen to, since I stopped being a virgin when I was sixteen.
I really didn’t care about any of the things they asked for, but my mom suddenly was the mother I always wanted. She was so much fun during the planning. I think it was a lot like anexpedition for her, so I let her have control and enjoyed our time together.
Hazel reaches over, taking my hand. “It brought you back to Ember Falls, and I know that there are several people truly happy about that.”
I think about last night and the way he touched me, kissed me, how he made me scream his name and how I could feel my body temperature rise.
I do my best to hide my thoughts, but Hazel is close and she studies me. “I wonder if you’re happy about someone too?”
“Oh, Everett and you were a thing as kids, right?” Ainsley asks.
Hazel shifts. “They were so gross. Seriously, Miles and I would have to go in other rooms because they were horny teenagers.”
“Hazel!” I protest. “It was not like that.”
“Ha! You were always making out, and after you and he finally”—she makes a very clear sexual innuendo with her hands—“it was even worse. Then you guys would actually ask us to go away.”
I hide my face in shame. “Oh my God.”
The girls laugh and Hazel nudges me. “Don’t be embarrassed, Vi, you guys were actually super cute.”
I peek through my fingers. “Cute? You just said we were gross.”
“Okay, maybegrossisn’t the right word. However, let’s not get away from my original point. Are you happy to be back because of someone else?”
“Am I happy to see Everett? Of course. I loved him with my whole heart, and I’ve always had regrets around how that all ended. I’m really glad we’ve been able to talk and work it out, find a new ... friendship. He was a huge concern when I decidedto come back here. I wasn’t sure if he was married or had kids, so I was really uncomfortable.”
Ainsley smiles. “I get that. I knew Lachlan since I was a kid. He and my brother are best friends, and I remember wanting to puke thinking I’d have to come here and find him with someone and pretend I didn’t care. Not that I would’ve been upset if he was happy, but facing it is super hard when you loved them.”
I’m glad someone understands. “Exactly. I want him to be happy, and it seems like his life is pretty great here. It’s going to make it easier when I have to leave.”
“Why do you have to leave?” Penny asks.
“My contract here is just one school year.”
Penelope pulls her legs up, wrapping her arms around them. “Talk to Miles before you decide anything. The worst he can say is no.”
I nod even though I know that won’t happen. Besides my contract being valid for only one year, I can’t stay because there’s no way I’ll be able to resist wanting something more with Everett, and he’s made it clear he doesn’t want that.
Just like I have.
“I don’t know that I can hide away here forever.”
“Is it hiding?” Penelope asks. “I know all about hiding, but it seems like I found myself here more than anything. Maybe the same can be for you.”
“I hope I find myself, but on the heels of this ordeal with my ex, I don’t know that love will be what I find,” I confess.
